How to Prepare for IAS Prelims in Two Months

How to prepare for UPSC prelims in 2 months/how to crack UPSC prelims in 2 months/How to crack IAS prelims in 2 months/How To Prepare For IAS Prelims In 2 Months/How to prepare for IAS in 2 months

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander the Great

The IAS Prelims exam is just a few months away. It will be held on 18th June, 2017. Many IAS hopefuls might be wondering if it is possibe to crack the UPSC Prelims in just 60 days. The answer is a resounding YES. People have done it before and you can do it too! You just need to follow a plan and work really hard. Remember, nothing is impossible!

It is very important that you go through the previous year UPSC question papers so that even with the time crunch, you will get a fair idea of the kind of questions asked by the UPSC. Also, know that the USPC doesn’t repeat questions. This will help you prioritize your studies.

Always assess yourself through mock tests. This is especially important for the prelims since you have negative marks here. In the case of MCQs such as IAS prelims papers, it is essential for you to pace your answer writing in order to be able to finish off the papers. There are two key factors here:

You must complete your paper.

You must be careful while choosing an option as the answer since you will be penalized for wrong answers.

This is where mock tests can help. They help you in the following ways:

For the IAS prelims, concentrate more on Modern History and Art & Culture.

Books for history prelims:

NCERTs

History of Modern India – Bipan Chandra

India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra

For Art & Culture – NCERT Books

GEOGRAPHY

In this subject, you have Indian Geography and World Geography. Indian Geography is given more weightage in the UPSC Prelims. Here, you must focus on:

Indian Physiography

Climate

Rivers of India

Soil and Types of Soil in India

India’s mineral wealth

Forests

Agriculture

Human Geography

Wildlife and conservation

In World Geography, you must focus on Earth, Universe, Land Forms and their Formation, Wind System, Atmosphere, Clouds and Precipitation, Hydrosphere, and Climate Types and Climatic regions of the world.

Books for geography prelims:

Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong

Wizard Geography

POLITY

Remember that in polity questions asked are both static and dynamic in nature. So, give importance to any significant judgements given by the courts, any new bills and acts passed by the Parliament, etc. Always relate what you read to the UPSC Syllabus.

Books for polity prelims:

Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth

Introduction to the Constitution of India – Durga Das Basu

ECONOMICS

In the case of economics, which can be scary if you don’t have economics background, just make sure get your basics right. For the basics, go through the NCERTs.

Principles of Macroeconomics – Std. XII

Principles of Microeconomics – Std. XII

Indian Economic Development – Std. XI

March of the Indian Economy – I.C. Dhingra

Definitely go through the Budget and Economic Survey.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

For basics on General Science, go through the NCERTs. For current affairs on technology, go through The Hindu’s Science & Technology section. Also, keep abreast of latest happenings in the science and technology fields. Remember that the static portions are also asked keeping in mind current affairs. For instance, consider the following question asked in 2010 UPSC prelims:

Q) India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:

Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.

Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.

Neutrinos have a negligible, but nonzero mass.

Trillions of Neutrinos pass through human body every second.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 & 3 only

1, 2 & 3 only

2, 3 & 4

1, 2, 3 & 4

Answer: (d)

ENVIRONMENT

For this section, go through the NCERTs of Geography (VI to XI), Science (VII to X), Economics (XI), Biology (XII) and chemistry (XII) subjects. Also go through ‘Ecology and Environment’ by P.D. Sharma

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Always have current affairs at the back of your head while you prepare for the IAS Prelims. Try to relate what you read in the daily newspapers with the UPSC syllabus. This will help you channelise your IAS prelims preparation.

CSAT

In the case of CSAT, it is imperative that you score a minimum of 33% in order to qualify for the IAS Mains exam. Go through ‘CSAT Manual: General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Paper – 2)’ by TMH for a good understanding of the topics covered in this paper. This book also includes practice test papers and solved previous year UPSC CSAT question papers.

Stay motivated and think about your IAS dream whenever you feel bogged down by the enormity of the situation.

2 days can change a lifetime. So what about 2 months? You can surely crack the first barricade to your destination in this time if you put in the right effort and have the right attitude. All the Best!